Question 66527
length of fishing rod = r
length of the leader = r - 2
(length of fishing rod)(length of the leader) = strength of line in pounds
(r)(r - 2) = 16
r^2 - 2r = 16
(r - 1)^2 = 17
r - 1 = +- {{{sqrt(17)}}}
r = {{{1 +- sqrt(17)}}}
You can use other ways to solve the quadratic function.
{{{1 - sqrt(17) = -3.1231056}}}....
You can not have a lenght of negative value, so you have:
{{{1 + sqrt(17) = 5.1231056}}}....